Electrical connector with terminal lock means

ABSTRACT

An electrical connector of the type having a tubular array of spaced, angled louvers resiliently connected to a pair of axially spaced, generally circular end bands. The connector is adapted to be inserted into a tubular first terminal and to receive a jacklike second terminal so that the louvers will be in bridging electrical contact with the terminals. The connector has a number of teeth integral with one of the bands for engaging a portion of the second terminal after the latter has been inserted into the connector for holding the second terminal against removal therefrom.

United States Patent 1191 Deal Jan. 21, 1975 ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WITH3,182,281 5/1965 Salz, Sr. 339/95 1) TERMINAL LOCK MEANS Inventor:Robert S. Deal, Mountain View,

Calif Assignee: Multilam Corporation, Los Altos,

Calif.

Filed: Jan. 15, 1973 Appl. No.: 323,541

US. Cl. 339/74 R, 339/95 R, 339/256 R Int. Cl H0lr.l3/20 Field of Search339/74, 95, 256, 258,253;

174/84 R, 88 R, 94 R References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Neidecker339/74 R 3,453,587 7/1969 Neidecker .(339/256 RT Primary Examiner-JosephH. McGlynn [5 7] ABSTRACT An electrical connector of the type having atubular array of spaced, angled louvers resiliently connected to a pairof axially spaced, generally circular end 1 7 bands. The connector isadapted to be inserted into a tubular first terminal and to receive ajack-like second terminal so that the louvers will be in bridgingelectrical contact with the terminals. The connector has a number ofteeth integral with one of the bands for engaging a portion of thesecond terminal after the latter has been inserted into the connectorfor holding the second terminal against removal therefrom.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures SHEET 10F 2 PATENTED JANZ 1 1975 FIG. I

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WITH TERMINAL I LOCK MEANS This invention relatesto improvements in devices for enhancing the electrical contact betweena pair of electrical terminals and, more particularly, to an electricalconnector of the type having a plurality of electrically conductinglouvers arranged in a tubular array.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRIOR ART ln U.S. Pat. No. 3,426,587, there isdisclosed a tubular electrical conductor comprised of a pair of spaced,generally circular bands between which are disposed a number of spaced,electrically conducting, oblique louvers arranged about the common,central axis of the bands. The connector is adapted to be inserted intoa tubular first terminal and to receive a second jack-like terminal. Thelouvers are adapted to engage both terminals as they resiliently bearagainst the inner surface of the first terminal and the outer surface ofthe second terminal. In this way, maximum current transfer between theterminals can be achieved yet the second terminal can be pulled out ofthe first terminal and reinserted many times.

In some situations, it is desirable that the terminals be permanentlyconnected together. For instance, in the wiring of houses, buildings andthe like, it is desirable to have a permanent connection between eachwire and a terminal to a junction box. At the present, plastic-coveredscrew-type connectors are used to lock several spliced wires together.While the conventional screw-type connector has proven satisfactory tosome extent, it has certain limitations in that time and effort arerequired to couple it to a pair of wires and breakage of the plasticcover sometimes occurs.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,161,451, an electrical connector is disclosed whereinthe connector has a number of circumferentially spaced contact springsarranged in a tubular array for making bridging contact between a first,tubular terminal and a second, jack-like terminal. The patent furtherdiscloses a releasable holding means removably carried by the firstterminal and engageable with the second terminal to releasably hold thelatter in the first terminal. However, the holding means, being separatefrom either terminal, requires assembly time and effort. Moreover, thesecond terminal must be of a special construction. Specifically, it mustbe provided with an annular groove for receiving portions of the holdingmeans. Because of its special character, the connector of this patentwould be expensive to make and would be limited to a special type ofterminal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to animproved electrical connector of the type adapted to be carried in afirst, tubular terminal having a plurality of louvers in a tubulararray. The connector is adapted for use in receiving one or more secondterminals and for permanently holding the same against removal therefromas the louvers make bridging electrical contact between the terminals.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connector is providedwith spaced teeth integral with the normally innermost of the twocircular bands to which the louvers are connected. The teeth extendinwardly of the tubular array of louvers and downstream with respect tothe normal direction of insertion of the second terminal thereinto.Thus, the

teeth, when the second terminal has been inserted, will engage andbite'into the outer surface of the second terminal and prevent itsretrograde movement out of the connector thereby holding the secondterminal in a substantially permanent operative position.

The present invention has a wide variety of applications. Moreover, anumber of second terminals, such as several wires twisted or splicedtogether, can be held permanently in place in the connector of thisinvention, yet the louvers of the connector will provide the desiredelectrical contact between the-second terminals and the first terminalin which the connector is mounted.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an improvedelectrical connector of the type adapted to be mounted in a first,tubular terminal and having a plurality of electrically conductivelouvers arranged in a tubular array for receiving a second terminal formaking bridging electrical contact between the terminals, wherein theconnector is provided with means thereon for permanently holding asecond terminal therein to thereby assure a permanent connection betweenthe terminals merely by inserting the second terminal in the connector.

A further object of this invention is to provide a connector of the typedescribed wherein the connector has a plurality of spaced teeth alongthe innermost, circular edge thereof with the teeth being oriented togrip and hold a terminal against movement out of the array once theterminal has been inserted thereinto so as to permanently maintain theterminal in its normal operative condition in electrical contact withthe louvers.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent as the followingspecification progresses, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawing for an illustration of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a part of one embodiment of theconnector of this invention with the connector flattened out and beforethe same is moved into a configuration in which the louvers thereof forma tubular array;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the connector in its operativeconfiguration, and illustrating the way in which it receives a jack-liketerminal;

FIG. 4 is across-sectional view of the connector, showing the way inwhich the locking teeth thereof engage a terminal therein; and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing a second embodiment ofthe connector.

One embodiment of the electrical connector of this invention is broadlydenoted by the numeral 10 and is shown in FIGS. 1-4. Connector 10 isformed in integral fashion-from a sheet of suitable electricallyconducting material, such as beryllium copper or the like. Connector 10is formed in any suitable manner, such as by a stamping process. Itincludes a pair of spaced bands 12 and 14 to which a number of spacedlouvers 16 are coupled in spanning relationship therebetwecn. Eachlouver has a pair of opposed, curved sides 18, the sides being convex sothat the end connections of each lou- Bands l2 and 14 are adapted to beformed into circular configurations as shown in FIG. 3 so that louvers16 will be arranged in a tubular array. Moreover, the louvers are formedso that they are oblique to bands 12 and 14 as shown in FIG. 2. Thus,one side 18 of each louver 16 will engage an outer, first, tubularterminal, such as an electrically conducting sleeve and the oppositeside 18 of each louver will be in a position to engage the outer surfaceof a second, jack-like terminal 20 when the latter is inserted withinconnector 10. Thus, louvers 16 will enhance the electrical contactbetween the terminals to minimize losses and to optimize the energytransfer therebetween.

Connector is provided with a plurality of spaced tongues 22 integralwith and projecting outwardly from the outer side edge 24 of band 12.Similarly, a plurality of spaced tongues 26 are integral with andproject outwardly from the outer side edge 28 of band 14. Tongues 22 and26, when connector 10 is in the configuration of FIG. 3, are inclinedwith respect to respective bands 12 and 14 as shown in FIG. 2 and areadapted to engage the inner surface 30 of the tubular terminal 32 inwhich connector 10 is carried. Thus, tongues 22 and 26 provide standoffmeans to properly position louvers 16 so that first sides 18 thereofproperly make electrical contact with inner surface 30.

Device 10 includes lock means 34 thereon adjacent to band 14. Lock means34 includes a third band 36 integral with band 14 by means of a numberof connector elements 38 parallel with and adjacent to tongues 26. Band36 has a number of spaced teeth 40 integral therewith and projectinglaterally from the outer margin 42 thereof. Teeth 40 are adapted to beformed so that they are inclined with respect to band 36 as shown inFIGS. 2 and 4. Each tooth 40 has an outer edge 44 adapted to engage andthereby bite into the outer surface 46 of terminal to hold the latteragainst movement in the direction of arrow 48 out of connector 10 afterthe terminal has been inserted thereinto.

In operation, connector 10 is formed into the config-- uration of FIG.3, then inserted into an operative position in terminal 32 with firstsides 18 of louvers 16 in electrical contact with inner surface 30 ofterminal 32. When the connector is in such position, louvers 16 areoblique with respect to the central axis of the connector and tongues 22and 26 also engage surface 30 as shown in FIG. 4. The opposite sides 18of louvers 16 thus project into the tubular space surrounded by bands 12and 14 and thereby in position to engage the outer surface 46 ofterminal 20 when the latter is inserted therewithin. Also, teeth 40 areinclined, i.e., they extend into the aforesaid tubular space anddownstream with respect to the direction of insertion of terminal 20into connector 10.

When terminal 20 is inserted in connector 10, teeth 40 engage and bite"into surface 46 while louvers 16 also engage the same. Teeth 40 arearranged so that they prevent retrograde movement of terminal 20 out ofthe connector, i.e., in the direction of arrow 48. Thus, terminal 20 ispermanently connected to connector l0.

While terminal 20 has been shown as being formed ofa single member, itmay be formed of several members, such as a pair of wires twisted andspliced together. In such a case, the spliced wires will have acomposite outer surface and louvers l6 and teeth 40 The teachings of theinvention can be applied to a connector for insertion into a first,tubular terminal wherein the terminal has a pair of open ends to permitsecond terminals to be inserted thereinto from opposite ends thereof. Tothis end, a connector (FIG. 5) is formed by a stamping process or thelike from a single sheet of electrically conducting material, theforming operation being such that a unitary construction is achievedwhich, in effect, comprises two connectors 10 (FIG. 1) integral witheach other. Thus, connector 110 includes a first connector section 110Aand a second connector section 1108, each section being identical withthe other and comprised of a pair of spaced bands 1 l2 and 114, aplurality of spaced louvers 116 spanning the distance between bands 112and 114 and standoff tongues 122 and 126 on respective bands 112 and114. Each connector section further includes terminal locking means 134comprised ofa third band 136 provided with spaced, laterally projectingteeth 140 thereon. Each band 136 is connected to the adjacent band 114by integral connecting elements 138. Also, a pair of central bands 142and 144 are connected by connecting elements 146 to respective bands136, band 142 having a plurality of spaced standoff tongues 148 whichserve the same purpose as tongues'122 and 126. Thus,

'tongues 148 support the central portion of connector Also, teeth 140 onbands 136 will be inclined inwardly and extend toward each other so thatthey will be in positions to engage and bite into terminals insertedinto respective connector segments from the corresponding open ends ofthe tubular terminal in which connector 110 is carried. Thus, teeth 140will function in the same manner as that described above with respect toteeth 40 (FIG. 4) to prevent retrograde movement of correspondingterminals from connector 110, once the terminals have been insertedthereinto. The terminals are, therefore, permanently coupled toconnector 110 yet the various louvers 116 engage the terminals toenhance the electrical contact between the inserted terminals and thetubular terminal surrounding connector 110.

The ends of the terminals in connector sections 110A and 1 108 can buttup against each other if tongues 148 are not inclined or if the tonguesare removed altogether. Moreover, the terminal-engaging teeth 140, liketeeth 40 of connector 10, bite deeper into the corresponding terminalswhen there is a tendency to pull outwardly on the terminals. Thus, theyare permanently locked in place in the connector.

The present invention, therefore, provides an improved connector ofone-piece construction or enhancing the electrical contact between twoterminals yet serves to lock one of the terminals within the tubulararray of resilient louvers to provide a permanent connectiontherebetween. The connector can be of any di ameter and can be formedfrom various types of electrically conducting materials.

I claim:

1. An electrical connector comprising: an electrically conducting,unitary body having a pair of spaced, annular bands having a commoncentral axis, a plurality of spaced louvers integral with the bands andextending therebetween, the louvers being disposed about said centralaxis, being at respective inclined positions relative to diametralplanes passing therethrough, and projecting laterally from theconnections thereof with said first bands, whereby one side of eachlouver will engage the inner surface of a first, tubular terminal inwhich said body is positioned and the opposite side of each louver willbe disposed to engage the outer surface of a second, jack-like terminalinserted into the body; a third annular band spaced from one of saidpair of bands and being concentric to said axis; means connecting thethird band to said one band; and a plurality of spaced teeth integralwith the third band and being inclined relative thereto, the teethextending inwardly of the third band and in a direction away from saidone band, said teeth adapted to engage the outer surface of said secondterminal after the latter has been inserted in one direction into saidbody to thereby lock said second terminal against movement in theopposite direc tion out of said body.

2. An electrical connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein saidconnecting means includes a plurality of spaced connecting elementsintegral with said one band and said third band.

3. An electrical connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bands,said louvers and said teeth are formed from an initially flat sheet ofelectrically conducting material, said bands being initially flat andbeing moved into circular configurations about said axis.

4. An electrical connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein is provideda second body substantially identical to said first body and beingaxially spaced therefrom, said second body including a pair of spaced,annular bands concentric to said axis, a plurality of spaced louversintegral with the last-mentioned bands and spanning the distancetherebetween, said louvers being disposed about said central axis at anangle relative to diametral planes passing therethrough, a fourth bandspaced from the last-mentioned pair of louvers and from the third band aplurality of spaced teeth integral with said fourth band and projectingtherefrom at an angle toward the teeth of the third band, and meansintegral with the third and fourth bands for interconnecting the sameand thereby said bodies, each body having an open, terminal-receivingend.

5. An electrical connector as set forth in claim 4, wherein saidinterconnecting means comprises a fifth band between and spaced fromsaid third and fourth bands, and means integral with said fifth band forconnecting the same to said third and fourth bands.

6. An electrical connector comprising: a tubular, electricallyconducting body having a central axis, a pair of spaced, circular.bands, and a plurality of spaced, longitudinally extending, outerperipheral louvers disposed about said central axis and spanning thedistance between and being integral with said bands, said body adaptedto receive a terminal therewithin and said louvers adapted to engage theterminal when the latter is received within said body; and means on thebody for holding said terminal received therein against removaltherefrom, said holding means including a third band spaced from andcoupled to one of said pair of bands near one end of the body, and aplurality of spaced teeth integral with and extending laterally fromsaid third band in a direction away from said pair of bands, said teethbeing inclined and disposed for engaging the outer surface of saidterminal after the latter has been inserted into the body through theopposite end

1. An electrical connector comprising: an electrically conducting,unitary body having a pair of spaced, annular bands having a commoncentral axis, a plurality of spaced louvers integral with the bands andextending therebetween, the louvers being disposed about said centralaxis, being at respective inclined positions relative to diametralplanes passing therethrough, and projecting laterally from theconnections thereof with said first bands, whereby one side of eachlouver will engage the inner surface of a first, tubular terminal inwhich said body is positioned and the opposite side of each louver willbe disposed to engage the outer surface of a second, jack-like terminalinserted into the body; a third annular band spaced from one of saidpair of bands and being concentric to said axis; means connecting thethird band to said one band; and a plurality of spaced teeth integralwith the third band and being inclined relative thereto, the teethextending inwardly of the third band and in a direction away from saidone band, said teeth adapted to engage the outer surface of said secondterminal after the latter has been inserted in one direction into saidbody to thereby lock said seconD terminal against movement in theopposite direction out of said body.
 2. An electrical connector as setforth in claim 1, wherein said connecting means includes a plurality ofspaced connecting elements integral with said one band and said thirdband.
 3. An electrical connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein saidbands, said louvers and said teeth are formed from an initially flatsheet of electrically conducting material, said bands being initiallyflat and being moved into circular configurations about said axis.
 4. Anelectrical connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein is provided asecond body substantially identical to said first body and being axiallyspaced therefrom, said second body including a pair of spaced, annularbands concentric to said axis, a plurality of spaced louvers integralwith the last-mentioned bands and spanning the distance therebetween,said louvers being disposed about said central axis at an angle relativeto diametral planes passing therethrough, a fourth band spaced from thelast-mentioned pair of louvers and from the third band a plurality ofspaced teeth integral with said fourth band and projecting therefrom atan angle toward the teeth of the third band, and means integral with thethird and fourth bands for interconnecting the same and thereby saidbodies, each body having an open, terminal-receiving end.
 5. Anelectrical connector as set forth in claim 4, wherein saidinterconnecting means comprises a fifth band between and spaced fromsaid third and fourth bands, and means integral with said fifth band forconnecting the same to said third and fourth bands.
 6. An electricalconnector comprising: a tubular, electrically conducting body having acentral axis, a pair of spaced, circular bands, and a plurality ofspaced, longitudinally extending, outer peripheral louvers disposedabout said central axis and spanning the distance between and beingintegral with said bands, said body adapted to receive a terminaltherewithin and said louvers adapted to engage the terminal when thelatter is received within said body; and means on the body for holdingsaid terminal received therein against removal therefrom, said holdingmeans including a third band spaced from and coupled to one of said pairof bands near one end of the body, and a plurality of spaced teethintegral with and extending laterally from said third band in adirection away from said pair of bands, said teeth being inclined anddisposed for engaging the outer surface of said terminal after thelatter has been inserted into the body through the opposite end thereof.